Key operated combination lock



Aug. 18, 1931. o. D. VON MEl-jREN 1,819,853

KEY OPERATED COMBINATION LOCK Filed May 10, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l 4 IN VEN TOR.

M49. wwwwl g 1.3, 1931- O. D. VON MEHREN v 1,819,853

KEY OPERATED COMBINATION LOCK.

Fi led May 10, 1928 5 Sheets-Shet 2 INVENTOR.

BY MM NEYS.

g- 1- O o. D. vc aw 'MEHREN 1,819,853

KEY OPERATED COMBINATION LOCK Filed May 10, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

BY. f a -,Z

A ORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 18, 193 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OSWALD D. VON MEHREN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO MEI-IREK LOCK COMPANY, INCORPORATED, 015 CLIFTON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPQR-ATION OF'NEW JERSEY KEY OPERATED COMBINATION LOCK Application filed May 10,

This invention relates to changeable combination locks and keys therefor. The primary purpose or object of the present invention is to provide a simple, novel and efficient lock embodying the ease of operation of key operated locks and at the same time the greator safety inherent in combination locks .which are generally operable by dials, etc.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a changeable combination lock and key therefor, so organized that when a change of combination is desired, the barrel of the lock is rotated to a neutral position with the help of the key bearing the old combination and the key is then removed. The change of combination is then made only upon the key, whilethe lock with its barrel in neutral position is adapted to receive the key with the new combination, so that, when the changed key is inserted in the lock barrel and the latter rotated from its neutral position, the lock is automatically adjusted to the new combination without dismantling any part of the lock. When this key is removed, only this new key, or this combination can operate the lock thereafter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a key operated-combination lock susceptible of a great number of permutations while insuring absolute safety against 4 the possibility of operation of the look by unauthorized persons. The invention embodies numerous other features which will be hereinafter more fully described. Attention may,

however, be directed to a few of these features without, however, excluding the others.

In most combination locks and particularly in those which are operated by keys, the structures are such that highly skilled locksmiths can, upon examination of the lock,

tected by the ear or by the sense of feeling.

Another feature to which reference may be 1928. Serial No. 276,765.

made. resides in the fact that the predetermined exact combination is required to opcrate the lock of this invention. In other words, the key must be absolutely correct and spurious keys which have but variations of a few thousandths of an inch will fail to operate the lock.

I am able to accomplish this degree of safety by employing locking elements which are moved longitudinally of the axis of the lock to lock or unlock the-rotary barrel. Such a degree of safet as this construction provides cannotpossi lybe obtained in looks having radial plungers for the reason that the radial disposition of the plungers necessi tates that their ends be curved or beveled and when a plunger is thus constructed, it is practically impossible to commercially make an Features of the invention, other than those adverted to, will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description and claims, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 7

The accompanying drawings illustrate one practical embodiment of the invention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a front view of a lock embodying this invention showing the key slot in normal locking position.

Figure 2 is a like View illustrating the key slot in neutral position with the parts ready for change of combination.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4.4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 isa section on the same line, but showing the key inserted.

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fi ure 2. 4

Figure 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a section on theline 8-8 of Figure 11.

Figure 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Figure 1 with a key inserted.

Figure 10 shows substantially the same section as in Figure 9, but with the key removed.

Figure 11 is a section on the line 11-11 of Figure 1.

Figure 12 is a rear elevation of the lock. 7

Figure 13 is a longitudinal section of the main stationary body, taken along line 13-13 of Fig. 14.

Figure 14 is a rear elevation of the main stationary body as seen from line 14-11of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a front elevation of the rotating barrel as seen from line 15-15 of Fig. 16.

Figure 16 is a longitudinal section of the rotating barrel as seen from line 16-16 of Figs. 15 and 17.

Figure 17 is a rear elevation of the rotating barrel as seen from line 17-17 of Fig. 16.

Figure 18 is a longitudinal section of the ring part of the stationary body as seen from line 18-18 of Fig. 19.

Figure 19 is a rear elevation of the ring part of the stationary body as seen from line 19-19 of Fig. 18.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the body of the lock which as shown is preferably in the form of a tubular sleeve provided at its forward end with a radial flange 2 adapted to lie against the face of the door or other closure with which the lock is associated. In mounting the look, a hole is bored in the door of a size to receive the body 1 and the flange covers the joint between the hole and the body and produces a finished appearance.

Screws are passed through a suitable plate at the inner surface of the door and thread into tapped holes 3 shown in Figure 12 to secure the tubular sleeve 1 in position on the door. Positioned to rotate within the sleeve is a rotary barrel 4 of the lock. The general contour of this barrel is best shown in Figures 6, 15, 16 and 17.

About midway of its ends, this rotary barrel is provided with an enlarged cylindrical part 5 from the opposite ends of which smaller cylindrical parts 6 and 7 extend in coaxial relation. The barrel-is wholly positioned within the sleeve and that portion of the sleeve which embraces the part 7 is of an interior diameter to form a bearing for this part. Similarly, the part of the sleeve which embraces the cylindrical part 5 is of an interior diameter to form a bearing therefor. The portion 6 of the sleeve finds a hearing within a ring 8 which is fitted into the rear end of the sleeve after the barrel is in place and is secured therein in any suitable manner. The purpose of using the ring 8 as shown is to permit the parts to be assembled and this may be most easily accomplished in the manner shown because the part 5 of the barrel is of greater diameter than the adjacent parts 6 and 7. To the back or rear end of the barrel 4 is secured a polygonal rod 9 in a manner best shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12. This rod is adapted to be connected to any suitable bolt mechanism not shown, so that when the rotary barrel is turned, the bolt may be operated.

A key slot 10 extends into the forward end of the rotary barrel and serves to rotate the barrel for the purpose of operating the bolt in the manner specified.

The cylindrical part 5 of the barrel is pro vided in its circumference with a plurality of channels which extend parallel to the axis of the barrel and from one endto the pther of the part 5. Six such slots are shown in Figures 7 and 8 with three on each side. That is to say, there are two groups of three each with the channels of each group side. by side and the groups positioned diametrically opposite one another inthe part 5. The channels of one group are designated 11, 12 and 13, while the channels of the other group are designated 14, 15 and 16. Each slot preferably is as deep as it is wide. The slots are shown in two groups of three each,

but the number of slots may be increasedor diminished if a greater or lesser number of permutations is desired, and their grouping changed to suit the best construction.

Extending longitudinally for the greater portion of the lengthoi' the tubular sleeve 1 and ring 8, and through the annular walls thereof. but terminating short of the forward face of the flange 2 are a plurality of passages. Twelve of these passages are shown and they are disposed in groups of three and in such relation to the channels 11-16 that when the barrel is in normal locking position, one of these passages will register with one of the channels. Thus, the passages 17, 18 and 19 will register with the channels 11, 12. and 13, while the passages 20, 21 and 22 will register with the channels 14:, 15 and 16 as clearly shown in Figure 7. The other six passages 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 are so disposed that when the barrel is turned through an angle of 96 degrees for the grouping and disposition shown by the accompanying drawings said remaining passages will thereupon register with the passages 11-16 of the part 5, as shown in Figure 8.

Mounted for sliding longitudinal movement in the passages 17-28 are slidable members. The slidable members which operate in the passages 17-22 are designated 29, while those which operate within the passages 23-28 are designated 30. The slidable members 29 are the locking elements for normally securing the rotary barrel against rotation, while the sliding members 30 may be termed magazine elements adapted to hold in reserve a number of disks whereby the combination may be changed as hereinafter more fully explained. In the lock shown there are six locking elements 29 and six magazine elements 30 and these various elements operate in the respective passages and position of Figure 8 and the elements 29 thereupon moved into the position shown, for example in Figure 10, it will be apparent that the cut outs 30 of these elements will no longer straddle the part 5 of the rotary barrel, but on the contrary uncut portions of the elements will extend into the channels in the rotary barrel, as well as into the passages of the tubular sleeve and as a result, the barrel is locked against rotation.

It thus becomes apparent that in order to rotate the rotary barrel, it is essential that all the elements 29 be brought into the position shown in Figure 6 (or Figure 9 which shows the same position), and this positioning of the elements is brought about by an appropriate key as presently described.

Movement is imparted to the elements 29 by fingers 32, one of which extends into each channel 1116 of the rotary member. These fingers project radially from substantially the center of the part 5 and are slidable longitudinally of the axis of the barrel in radial slots 33 formed in the part 5. The inner end of each finger is secured toa rod 34.- which is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement in a circular hole extending parallel to the axis of the barrel and for the full length thereof. Thereare thus six fingers 32 and six associated rods 34 operating in a like number of holes, the arrangement being as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

Springs 35 normally force the fingers 32 in a forward direction to project the rods 34 forwardly until the rods are forced back to predetermined extents through the employment of an appropriate key.

It will be noted from Figure 9 that the" width of each finger 32 is considerably less than the cut out 31 and the width of the cut out is filled out through the employment of a number of thin circular disks 36 which act as washers or fillers, whereby the combined width of each group of disks plus the width of the finger is equal to the width of the cut out 31. It is by variation of the number of disks on either side of the finger that the variation in combination is effected.

- As can be readily observed from the drawings, the maximum amount of'said disks 36 which can be housed on one side of fingers 32 is fixed by the length of the overlapping part 5 of barrel 4 and thus by the cut out of look ing members 29. In this case their number is nine, so that the length of the cut outs in the magazine members 30 liaveto be equal to the sum of the thickness of finger 32plus twice this amount of disks (nine on each side), i. e., eighteen to allow the forming, with every finger 32, of all the intermediary combinations possible between having the maximum amount of disks 36 on theback or front face of these fingers. This maximum amount of disks 36 (nine in this case) which canbe housed on either side of fingers 32, determines the maximum motion to be allowed to every rod 34, in order to prevent the detection of the combination from the depth to which the rods 34 can be moved. Observing the drawings, it can .be seenthat the length of these rods is such that the space left between their ends and the back of thecyli'nder, where they stop,

is exactly equal'to the total thickness of ninedisks 36. v

Note also that the pressure of the springs 35 is applied upon fingers 32 and not upon locking members 29 or magazine members 30,

and that such is the case irrespective ofwhat ever combination may have been formed.

This is made possible by the special shape of said locking and magazine elements 29 and 3() which, receiving in their cut outs the extreme end of fingers 32 and disks 36, form an assembly which is forced to follow any longitudinal motion'caused by the fingers 32 when operated by the rods 34. Also note that the total weight of every one of the moving assemblies of elements (34, 32, 36 and 29) remains always the same, irrespective of their individual combinations.

All these features insure against the detection of the combination either by depth of motion allowed, or by different pressure of springs, or by weight of the movable assembly of element-s.

An important part of the arrangement, however, which enables the positioning of the locking elements as described is the use of a number of small disks, the arrangement of which may be varied as occasion may require to change the combination, butwhen once setwill determine the combination until changed. The disks referred to are designated in the drawings. a

The normal positions of the parts with the barrel in locked position is as shown in Fig. 10. Here the key is removed from the lock and the springs 35 will force the fingers 32 forwardly to the ends of the radial slots 33.

In order to unlockthe barrel for rotary movement in order that thebolt associated with the part 9 may be actuated, it is necessary to retract the locking elements 29 into the positions shown in Figure 9. This is accomplished by introducing into the key slot of the rotary barrel a key which is adapted to enter the slot, but which has provided therein openings to receive the rods 34 to different depths. Suppose, therefore, that a key is provided in its end with six holes or pockets of difi'erent depths and these depths are such that when the key is pushed into the lock, the rods 34 will be retracted to corresponding degrees sufficient to position the several locking elements 29 as shown in Figure 9. It will be apparent that the key may be turned to rotate the cylinder and actuate the bolt.

If it be assumed that a key appropriate to the combination shown 'in Figures 6 and 9 is introduced into the key slot, the locking elements 29 will all be simultaneously moved into the neutral position shown in Fig. 9, and the barrel may be rotated to actuate the locking bolt. This is the normal operation of the parts, and this operation may be carried out through long periods of time by using the key in the usual manner. If, however, it is desired at any time to change the combination, this is accomplished in the following manner.

A key appropriate to the existing combination of the lock is introduced into the lock and the barrel turned from the normal position of Fig. 1 and Figure 10 to the unlocking position of- Figure 2 and Figure 9. Ordinarily the key can not be removed when in this position because of a retaining screw 46 which normally overlies a portion of the key slot, as shown in Figure 1.

When the combination is to be changed, however, the screw 46 is rotated to the position shown in Figure 2 so that the key can be removed when the parts are in neutral position.

When the barrel has been moved to the position stated, all the disks 36 which are housed within the cut outs of the locking elements 29 have been carried away while the solid portion 5 of the barrel is holding the locking elements in position as shown in Figure 6. All of these locking disks have been moved with portions 11 to 16 of part 5 by the operation stated into the portion of each of the cut outs-left vacant by the solid portions of part 5 of the magazine elements, as shown in Fig. 5, so that if the key is now removed, the springs will force the fingers 32 forwardly and the magazine elements 30 will betin the position shown in Figure 4 through passages 11-16, so that the lock will now be ready to be set to the new combination. A key equipped with the new combination is now introduced into the key slot and forced as far as it will go. The magazine elements are thus moved by the pins 37, the rods 34 and the fingers 32 into the position shown in Figure 5 (assuming of course that the combination shown is the new combination of the key). The key is now turned in a counter-clockwise direction back to the positionof Figure 1 thereby bringing the portions 1116 containing the new arrangement of fingers and disks back into the cut outs of the locking elements 29 and the screw 46 is returned to the position of this figure whereupon the lock is set to the new combination and the key may be thereafter operated in the usual manner with such new combination.

It will be apparent that because ofthe large number of disks employed, a great many permutations and a correspondingly great number of combinations may be had with the lock of this invention.

It will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description of lock structure that the combination of this look is absolutely undetectable even by the most skilled locksmiths. In fact, no matter which combination is chosen, the allowed motion of each of the rods 34 is the same and the weight of each plunger as well as the pressure of all of the springs remains invariably the same. Moreover, the circumferential weight of the barrel is the same for all combinations as there is always the same number of disks in the cut outs of the locking elements, the combination being varied by different dispositions of these disks. By this arrangement, I am able to use a minimum number of springs and the pressure of these springs is always the same and does not vary with each combination as is the case in plunger locks. Furthermore, the operation of the lock in the positioning of the locking elements is noiseless and cannot be detected b one attempting to pick the look by listening to its operation,

The automatic change of the combination which takes place simultaneously with the insertion of the new key is obtained in a positive manner and wholly independent of spring action. While the locking of the cylinder to the stationary body is mainly radial, although sometimes both radial and axial, the unlocking is always axial. This permits elimination of plungers with rounded or beveled ends and enables me to employ disks of minimum thickness without impairing the safety of the lock. There thereby results a greater number of permutations with greater safety than can be secured with radially disposed plungers which, asstated, must be provided with rounded or beveled ends.

Experience has shown that it is absolutely impossible to pick the lock of the present invention and if the key is lost and the combination not known, it is necessary to discard the lock and replace it by a new one.

I wish to call particular attention to the pronounced ease with which the combination may be changed in the lock of this invention and this change is accomplished without dismantling any art of the lock, but, in contradistinetion, y merely changing the key while the parts of the lock are in predetermined relation.

The advantage of key operated locks lies mainly in the ease of operation. The advantage of combination locks lies mainly in their greater safety. The device of this invention combines both features in one and in addition thereto, the numerous advantages hereinbeforc referred to.

The foregoing detailed description sets forth the invention in its preferred practical form, but the invention is to be understood as fully commensurate with the ap pended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a key operated combination lock, a lock casing having a cross axial shoulder, a rotary barrel positioned within said casing and having a locking portion radially overlapping said shoulder, alined passages extending into the said overlapping portions of the casing and barrel, said passages being parallel to the axis of the barrel, locking elements mounted to slide longitudinally in said passages, key operable plungers positioned parallel to the axis of the barrel andhaving substantially radial projections extending into cooperative relation to the locking elements, means for regulaiably securing said projections to the respective locking elements to preclude normal relative movement between, said projections and elements in t re direction of the length of the elements, and means for normally impelling said elements into positions wherein each element will extend into the passages of both the casing and the barrel to lock the barrel against rotation Within the casing, said plungers being simultaneously movable by a suitable key to position all of the locking elements Wholly within the passages of the casing to allow of retation of the barrel. 7

2. In a key operated combination lock, a lock easing having a cross axial shoulder, a rotary barrel positioned within said casing and having a locking portion radially overlapping said shoulder, alined passages extending into the said overlapping portions of the casing and barrel, said passages being parallel to the axis of the barrel, locking elements mounted to slide longitudinally in said passages, and provided with elongated cut outs, plungers mounted parallel to the axis of the barrel and having outwardly projecting fingers extending into the cut outs, but of less width than the width of the cut out, spacers disposed between the opposite faces of each finger and the ends of the cut out of the corresponding locking element, means for normally impelling the locking elements into a position wherein they will occupy the passages in both the barrel and casing to lock the barrel against rotation, said plungers being simultaneously movable by a suitable key to simultaneously position all of the locking elements wholly within the passages of the casing to permit of rotation of the barrel.

3. In a key operated combination lock, a lock casing having a crossaxial shoulder, a rotary barrel positioned within said casing and having a locking portion radially overlapping said shoulder, alined passages extending into the said overlapping portions of the casing and barrel, said passages being parallel to the axisof the barrel, locking elements mounted to slide longitudinally in said passages, and provided with elongated cut outs, plungers mounted parallel to the axis of the barrel and having outwardly projecting fingers extending into the cut outs, but of less width than the width of the cut out spacers disposed between the opposite faces of each finger and the ends of the cutout of the corresponding locking element, means for normally impelling the locking elements into a position wherein they will occupy the passages in both the barrel and casing to lock the barrel against rotation, said plungers being simultanemisly movable by a suitable key to simultaneously position all of the locking elements wholly within the passages, of the casing to permit of rotati -n of the barrel, and a magazine positioned within the casing for holding additional spacers in position to be introduced into the cut outs of the locking elements in lieu of the spacers contained in said element-s when it is desired to change the combination.

4:. In a key operated combination look, a lock casing, a rotary barrel positioned within the casing and having a cylindrical part, passages extending through a portion of the length of the casing, parallel to the axis of the barrel, and formed partially in said cy-' lindrical part, locking elements adapted to slide longitudinally in said passages and having cut outs adapted to register with and straddle the cylindrical part, key operable plungers provided with fingers extending into the cut outs of the locking elements, filler iie pieces positioned between the fingers and the T ends of the cut outs of the locking elements, means for normally impelling the locking elements into a position wherein the cut outs of the locking elements will be out of registration with the cylindrical, part to lock the barrel against rotation, said plungers being simultaneously movable by a suitable key to position all the locking elements with their cut outs registering with the cylindrical part of the rotary barrel to allow of rotation of the barrel.

5. In a key operated combination look, a. lock casing, a rotary barrel positioned within ing elements,

the casing and having a cylindrical part, passages extending through a portion of the length of the casing, parallel to the axis of the barrel, and formed partially in said cylindrical part, locking elements adapted to slide longitudinally in said passages and having cut outs adapted to register with and straddle the cylindrical part, key operable plungers provided with fingers extending into the cut outs of the locking elements, filler pieces positioned between the fingers and the ends of the cut outs of the locking elements, springs acting to normally move the fingers to shift the locking elements into a position wherein the cut outs of the locking elements will be out of registration with the cylindrical part to lock the barrel against rotation, said plungers being simultaneously movable by a suitable key to position all the locking elements with their cut outs registering with the cylindrical part of the rotary barrel to allow of rotation of the barrel.

6. In a key operated combination lock, a lock casing, a rotary barrel positioned within the casing and having a cylindrical part, locking and magazine passages extending through a portion of the length of the casing, parallel to the axis of the barrel, and formed partially in said cylindrical part, locking elements adapted to slide longitudinally in the locking passa es and having cut outs adapted to register wi h and straddle the cylindrical part, key operable plungers provided with fingers extending into the cut outs of the lockfiller pieces positioned between the fingers and the ends of the cut outs of the locking elements, means for normally impelling the locking elements into a position wherein the cut outs of the locking elements will be out of re istration with the cylindrical part to 100 the barrel against rotation, said plungers being simultaneously movable by a suitable key to position all the looking elements with their cut outs registering with the cylindrical part of the rotary barrel to allow of rotation of the barrel, in combination with magazine elements positioned in the magazine passages and having cut outs adapted to also straddle the cylindrical part,

and a plurality of additional filler pieces positioned in the cut outs of the magazine elements, said rotary barrel being rotatable to transfer filler pieces from looking elements to the corresponding magazine elements and vice versa to permit of change in the combination of the lock.

7 In a key operated combination look, a lock casing provided with an interior cross axial shoulder, a rotary barrel positioned within said casing and having longitudinally disposed parallel holes therethrough, said barrel being formed with an enlarged cylindrical part radially overlapping said shoulder, and having longitudinal slots extending substantially radially from said holes, and

the overlapping parts of the casing and cylindrical part having normally alined passages with which said radial slots communicate, locking members having cut outs adapted, when said members are in unlocking position, to straddle the cylindrical part of the barrel, key operated rods longitudinally slidable in said holes and having radial fingers extend through the slots and into the cut outs of the locking members, filler pieces positioned between the opposite faces of the fingers and the opposite ends of said cut outs, and springs acting upon the fingers to normally force them all to the forward ends of their respective slots irrespective of the particular combination of the lock to move the locking members into barrel locking positions.

8. In a key operated lock, a lock casing provided with an interior cross axial shoulder, having therein passages parallel to the axis of the casing, some of which are adapted to partially contain locking members and others magazine members, a rotary barrel positioned withinthe casing and having longitudinally disposed parallel holes therein, said barrel being formed with an enlarged cylindrical part radially overlapping said shoulder and having longitudinal slots extending substantially radially from said holes, said cylindrical part being further provided with passages adapted through rotation of the barrel to be brought into alin'ement with the locking member and magazine passages of the casing, said radial slots communicating with the passages of the cylindrical part, locking members longitudinally slidable in the passages of the barrel and the locking member passages of the casing, said locking members having cut outs adapted, when said members are in unlocking position, to straddle the cylindrical part of the barrel to permit of rotation of the latter, key operated rods longitudinally slidable in said holes and having radial fingers normally extending through the slots and into the cut outs of the locking members, filler pieces positioned between the opposite faces of the fingers and the opposite ends of said cut outs, springs acting upon the fingers to normally force them all to the forward ends of their respective slotsto move the locking members into barrel looking positions, magazine members longitudinally slidable in the magazine passages of the casing and having cut outs of appreciably greater length than the length of the cylindrical part of the barrel and so disposed that said cut outs will straddle the cylindrical part at all times, and filler pieces positioned between the opposite ends of the cylindrical part and the opposite ends of the cut outs of the magazine members, whereby when the locking members are in a position to straddle the cylindrical part the barrel may be rotated by a suitable key from normal position wherein the passages of the barrel register with the locking member passages of the casing to neutral position wherein the passages of the barrel register with the magazine passages of the casing to permit of change of the combination upon the introduction of a key with a new combination into the holes of the look barrel.

9. In a key operated look, a lock casing.

provided with an interior cross axial shoulder, having therein passages parallel to the axis of the casing, some of which are adapted to partially contain locking members and others magazine members, a rotary barrel positioned within the casing and having longitudinally disposed parallel holes therein, said barrel being formed with an enlarged cylindrical part radially overlapping said shoulder and having longitudinal slots extending substantially radially from said holes, said cylindrical part being further provided with passages adapted through rotation of the barrel to be brought into alineinent with the locking member and magazine passages of the casing, said radial slots com- 'municating with the passages of the cylindrical part, locking members longitudinally slidable inthe passages of the-barrel and the locking member passages of the casing, said locking members having cut outs adapted, when said members are in unlocking position, to straddle the cylindrical part of the barrel to permit of rotation of the latter, key operated rods longitudinally slidable in said holes and having radial fingers normally extending through the slots and into the cut outs of the locking member's, filler pieces positioned between the opposite faces of the ngers and the opposite ends of said cut outs, springs acting upon the fingers to normally force them all to the forward ends of their respective slots tomove the locking members into barrel locking positions, magazine members longitudinally slidable in the magazine passages of the casing and having cut outs of appreciably greater length than the length of the cylindrical part of the barrel and so disposed that said cut outs will straddle the cylindrical part at all times, and filler pieces positioned between the opposite ends of the cylindrical part and the opposite ends of the cut outs of the magazine members, whereby when the locking members are in a position to straddle the cylindrical part the barrel may be rotated by a suitable key from normal position wherein the passages of the barrel register with the locking member passages of the casing to neutral position wherein the passages of the barrel register with the magazine passages of the casing to permit of change of the combination upon the introduction of a key with a new combination into the holes of the lock barrel, and means for normally precluding removal of the key from the locking barrel when the barrel is in neutral position, said means being manually adjustable to permit of the removal of the key when the barrel is. in neutralposition when it is desired to change the combina tion of the lock.

10. In a key operated combination look, a. lock casing, a rotatable barrel positioned within said casing and having a cylindrical portion radially overlapping an internal portion of the casing, alined passages extending into said overlapping portions of the casing and barrel, said passages being parallel to the axis of the barrel, locking elements mounted to slide longitudinally in said passages and provided with elon ated cut outs substantially equal in lengt to the length of'the cylindrical portion of the bar rel, key operated plungers positioned parallel to the axis of the barrel and having substantially radially projecting fingers extending througl slots in the cylindrical portion of the barrel and into the cut outs of thelocking elements, relatively thin filler disks positioned between the opposite faces of the fingers and the opposite ends. of said cut outs, springs acting upon the fingers to nor, mally force them all forwardly to the ends of their respective slots irrespective of the combination for the purpose 'of moving the locking elements into positions wherein the cut outs Will be out of registration with the cylindrical portion of the barrel, said fingers being also movable in a rearward direction to the rear ends of their respective slots, whereby the extent of movement to which the several fingers are susceptible is the same for all the fingers, said key operated plungers being operable by an appropriate key ,to simultaneously shift all the fingers into posi tions wherein the cut outs in the corresponding locking elements will register with and straddle the cylindrical portion of the barrel 130 permit of rotation of the barrel by such. e v

11. In a ke operated combination look, a lock casing aving a cross axial shoulder, a rotary barrel positioned within said casing and having a locking portion radially overlapping said shoulder, alined passages extending'into the said overlapping portions of the casing and barrel, said passages-being parallel to the axis of the 'barrel, locking elements mounted to slide longitudinally in said passages, key operable plungers positioned parallel to the axis of the barrel and having substantially radial projections extending into cooperative relation to the locking elements but remaining at all times confined within the rotary barrel, means for regulatably securing said projections to the respective locking elements to preclude normal relative movement between said projections and elements in the direction of the length of the elements, and means for normally impellingsaid elements into positions wherein nee nae

each element will extend into the passages of both the casing and the barrel to lock the barrel against rotation within the casing, said plungers being simultaneously movable by a suitable key to position all of the looking elements wholly within the passages of the casing to allow of rotation of the barrel.

12. In a key operated combination lock, a lock casing having a cross axial shoulder, a rotary barrel positioned within said casing and having a locking portion radially overlapping said shoulder, alined passages extending into the said overlapping portions of the casing and barrel, said passages being parallel to the axis of the barrel, locking elements mounted to slide hmgitudinally in said passages, key operable devices having project-ions extending into cooperative relation to the locking elements, means for regulatably securing said projections to the respective locking elements to preclude normal relative movement between said projections and elements in the direction of the length of the elements, and means for normally impelling said elements into positions wherein each element will extend into the passages of both the casing and the barrel to lock the barrel against rotation within the casing, said plungers being simultaneously movable by a suitable key to position all of the looking elements wholly within the passages of the casing to allow of rotation of the barrel.

13. In a key operated combination look, a lock casing, a rotary barrel positioned within said casing and having a locking portion radially overlapping an internal portion of the casing. alined passages extending into the said overlapping portions of the casing and barrel, said passages being parallel to the axis of the barrel, locking elements mounted to slide longitudinally in said passages, key operable devices having projections extending into cooperative relation to the locking elements,-spacers for regulatably securing said projections to the respective locking elements to preclude normal relative movement between said projections and elements in the direction of the length of the elements, and means for normally impelling said elements into positions wherein each element will extend into the passages of both the casing and the barrel to lock the barrel against rotation within the casing, said plungers being simultaneously movable by a suitable key to position all of the locking elements wholly within. the passages of the casing to allow of rotation of the barrel, and a magazine chamber formed within the easing and containing additional spacers to be substituted for and added to the spacers associated with the locking elements.

14. In a key operated combination look, a lock casing, a rotary barrel positioned within the casin and having a cylindrical part, looking an magazine passages extending through a portion of the length of the easing, parallel to the axis of the barrel, and formed partially in said cylindrical part and positioned to be brought into alinement with said locking and magazine passages through rotation of the barrel, locking elements adapted to slide longitudinally in the locking passages and having cut outs adapted to register with and straddle the cylindrical part, key operable fingers extending into the cut outs of the locking elements when the passages of the cylindrical part are alined with the locking passages, filler pieces positioned between the fingers and the ends of the cut outs of the locking elements means for normally impelling the locking elements into a position wherein the cut outs of the locking elements will be out of registration with the eylindrical part to lock the barrel against rotation said fingers being simultaneously movable by a suitable key to position all the looking elements with their cut outs registering with the cylindrical part of the rotary barrel to allow of rotation of the barrel in combination with magazine elements positioned in the magazine passagesand having cut outs adapted to also straddle the cylindrical part and a plurality of additional filler pieces positioned in the cut outs of the magazine elements, said rotary barrel being rotatable to transfer filler pieces from looking elements to the corresponding magazine elements and vice versa to permit of change in the combination of the lock.

15. In a key operated combination lock, a lock easing, a rotary barrel positioned within the casing and having a cylindrical part, locking and magazine passages extending through a portion of the length of the casing, parallel to the axis of the barrel, and formed partially in said cylindrical part and positioned to be brought into alinement with said locking and magazine passages through rotation of the barrel, locking elements adapted to slide longitudinally in the locking passages and having cut outs adapted to register with and straddle the cylindrical part, key operable fingers extending into the cut outs of the locking elements when the passages of the cylindrical part are alined with the locking passages, filler pieces positioned between the fingers and the ends of the cut outs of the locking elements, means for normally impelling the locking elements into a position wherein the cut outs of the locking elements will be out of registration with the cylindrical part to lock the barrel against rotation, said fingers being simultaneously movable by a suitable key to position all the locking elements with their cut outs registering with the cylindrical part of the rotary barrel to allow of rotation of the barrel, in combination with magazine elements positioned in the magazine passages and having cut outs adapted to also straddle the cylindrical part, and a plurality of additional filler pieces positioned in the cut outs of the magazine elements, said rotary barrel being rotatable to transfer filler pleces from locking elements to the corresponding magazine elements and vice versa, to permit of change in the combination of the lock, and means for normally precluding inadvertent withdrawal of the key from the barrel while the passages of the barrel are juxtaposed with the magazine passages.

16. In a key operated combination look, a lock casing, a rotary barrel positioned within the casing and having a cylindrical part, locking and magazine passages extending through a portion of the length of the casing, parallel to the axis of the barrel, and formed partially in said cylindrical part and positioned to be brought into alinement with said locking and magazine passages through rotation of the; barrel, locking elements adapted to slide longitudinally in the looking passages and having cut outs adapted to register with and straddle the cylindrical part, key operable fingers extending into the cut outs of the locking elements when the passages of the cylindrical part are alined with the locking passages, filler pieces positionedbetween the fingers and the ends of the cut outs of the locking elements, means for normally impelling the locking elements into a position wherein the cut outs of the locking elements will be out of registration ments mounted to slide longitudinally in said passages, a plurality of key operable plungers arranged in groups with the plungers of each group in a plane parallel to the plane of the ad acent group, said plungers having lateral projections extending into cooperative relation to the locking elements, means for regulatably securing said projections to the respective locking'elements -to preclude normal relative movement between said projections and elements in the direcwith the cylindrical part to lock the barrel against rotation, said fingers being simultaneously movable by a suitable key to position all the locking elements with their cut outs registering with the cylindrical part of the rotary barrel to allow of rotation of the barrel, in combination with magazine elements positioned in the magazine passages and hav- 1ng cut outs adapted to also straddle the cylindrical part, a plurality of additional filler pieces positioned in the cut outs of the magazine elements, said rotary barrel being rotaable to transfer filler pieces from locking elements to the corresponding magazine elements and vice versa to permit of change in the combination of the lock, and means normally permitting insertion or withdrawal of the key from the barrel only when the passages of the barrel are alined with the looking passages of the casing, said means being operable to permit withdrawal of the key while the passages of the barrel are juxtaposed with the magazine passages of the easing when it is deslred to change the combination of the lock. V

17. In a key operated combination lock, a lock casing having a cross axial shoulder, a

rotarybarrel positioned within said casingand having a locking portion radially overlapping said shoulder, alined passages extending into the said overlapping portions of the casing and barrel, said passa es being parallel to the axis of the barrel, loc ing ele- Ian 

